Page 177 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Port V-Chap. XXXVI. 165

CHAPTER XXXVI.

AFFAIRS OF THE PERSIAN GULF: LIEUTENANT MACLEOD’S
REPORT, 182:).
207. Tho following report of Lieutenant Maoleod, Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf, is frequently quoted, and is perhaps tho most exhaustive and
interesting accouut of the state of Arab Tribes about tho cluso of the first
quarter of tho lOih century (No. 8, dated 27th February .823)
I have tho honour to report my proceedings during my visit to the Arabian ports of tho
Gulf for which I left Bassadoro on tho 12th January 1823.
2. On reaching Ramz I found that tho Sheikh of that place who signed the treaty
with Sir Williams Grant Kcir has been deposed
Sbclkh of Ramz.
through the influence of Sheikh Sultan bin Suggur
and succeeded by a young man named Mihoracd bin Abdul Rahman, whoso father had
formerly been Shoikh, until superseded by the late Shoikh Hussain bin Ali, who is now at
Sharga. The young man excused himself from visitiug mo on board the ship, but sent
his head man to whom I fully explained the purposes of my visit, and the arrangements which
were to be made as directed in my instructions. Me expressed his master’s determination to
abide by the treaty, and his readiness to comply with any measures which wo might thiuk fit
to adopt in fulfilment of its engagement.
3. Ras-ul-Khima is entirely subject to Sultan bin Suggur, whoso brother Sheikh
Mahomed has been placed by him in chargo of
Rat-ul’Khima.
the Government. Tho former Sheikh Hossain bin
Rama also resides there. The inhabitants, who have returned to the place, have established
themselves on the beach, on the cast f-ido of the black-water, opi>osite to the former town, the
whole of which remains in ruins, and deserted. The new town consists of good many huts
built of reeds, with only one or two houses of mud. The creek still serves as a harbour for
tbeir boats.
4. As the Sheikh’s people were very auxious to impress us with tho idea that the whole
coast from Ramss to Sharga was entirely subject to Sultan bin Suggur, I thought it necessary
to explain that although this might be the caso, yet that each Chief, whether dependent or
otherwise, must hold himself answerable for the vessels belonging to his own port.
5. After visiting tho town and receiving overy assurance of tho most friendly disposition,
on tho part of Sultan bin Suggur and his brother, I roturned on board and proceeded to
Jezirat-ul-Humra.
6. Sheikh Quezceb bin Ahmed or Jezirat-ul-Humra is dead and has been succeeded by
Shcikb Muhzim bin Abdul Rahman Suggu : the
Jezirat'ul'Humra.
Shoikh himself was absent at Muscat, but his son
Mahomed bin Muhzim came on board. He acknowledged most fully the general obligation
of tho troaty, but seemed very ignorant of its particular conditions, since ho admitted that
although he had two boats in trading voyages, neither of them had either pass or colours; and
he seemed quite unconscious of the impropriety of this neglect, or the danger to which his
vessels were exposed. On my explaining the purpose of my visit, he promised faithfully to
abide by his engagements, and furnished both of his vessels for registry. He acknowledged
generally the supremacy of Sultan bin Suggur, but declared that he considered himself fully
amenablo to us for all his actions in respect to his treaty with the English Government.
7. The Sheikh of Umal Guwyun, Abdulla bin Rushed, is tho same who signed the
treaty. He brought a copy of it with him, aud assured me that he would not fail to abide
by it; ho acknowledged the supremacy of Sultan bin Suggur, in tho same manner as the
Sheikh of Jezirat-ul-Humra, and at the same time asserted his own responsibility for the
vessels of his port.
8. On approaching Ejman, which is the next port, I received a message from the
Sheikh Rashid bin Humid entreating my interference to protect him from the attacks
of Sheikh Sultan bin Suggur, who ho alleged had collected the tribe of Beuiyas to assist
in overpowering him. Next day tho Sheikh himself came off, and repeated to me in
the most earnest manner his complaiuts of tho aggressions of Sultan. $e represented that
his only offence was his alliance with tho Imam of Muscat, who is at enmity with Sultan,
that he had never been in any shape subject to that Chiof, and never would submit to his
authority; that Sultan had committed various act6 of aggressions against him even at sea,
which his regard for the treaty with us alone prevented him from retaliating upon him.
9. I told him although it was our anxious wish to prevent hostilities, yet that we
could not desire any one to refrain from defending himself wheu attacked, that we had nothin g
to do with their quarrel, so long as they did not disturb the peace of the sea, but that sue h
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